happy goes lucky

A man is known by the accessories he keeps.
And is better known by the ones that he could, but chooses to not keep.

It was 12 noon and I was waiting for the Chief Medical Officer of a 1200 bed government hospital, one of Asia's largest tuberculosis facility.

And having closely worked with government, the expectation was to meet a man with few of his staff rushing-jerking to match his steps, asking for a thousand opinion, taking a hundred notes, and carrying some errands ... basically most times making the person feel important.

But a happy thing happened.

A simple frame walked alone with a busy yet joyful gait, and said, "Hello, I shall be back in a minute. Why don't you sit in my cabin?"

We lazily ushered inside the cabin.

And for a moment, I was left wondering if this was the right one.

Chief Medical Officer's cabin???!!!!

It had simple wearings.

As if the cabin felt itself at home in this place.
It did not want to pretend to be special.

A few minutes later, the energetic simple frame walked in and we all settled in friendly chairs.

When words wait patiently for the first few moments, and the eyes exchange some views, you know that this inter-action is going to be beautiful.

As a conversationally busy species, we all know the paradoxically difficult of starting a conversation with somebody we meet for the first time. Actually, though we meet the person for the first time, but our own inner self has been recording our same old way of starting with everybody else, and hence most times our first few sentences come out with some mechanics and not heart.

But sometimes, one does not need to exchange pleasantries, "I have heard so much about you" or "I am excited to meet you" or "I am really looking forward for this meeting", etc.

Dr Lalit Anande began, "I feel blessed". (this is such a beautiful and thankful statement to start)

"Blessed for the wonderful opportunity I have, to serve myself by serving people who suffer from illness".
 

In a career spanning 25+ years, Dr Anande has seen the disease up close through the sufferings of almost 3 lakh (300,000) patients.

And being in surgical, in addition to OPD, it has revealed things beyond any machine's best probe.

He has witnessed an average death rate of 3 lives per day.

And all this sets him out to urge alarm through his passion and rigor.

(He was also featured in a popular series called 'Satyamev Jayate" by Amir Khan)

He believes that the current crop of humanity needs to put some act together on diet and happiness.

Happiness
...by giving
...being compassionate
...in small things
...being positive.

Diet that involves home food, slow food.

Dr Anande has been doing some interesting experiments to see the effect of happiness on the disease control. And he is getting some really positive signs.

Many a times in the meetings, you must have noticed that people are just nodding their heads, saying yes for mere participation, manufacturing a frown to show that they are analyzing things, placing the palm on the cheek to show pensive mood...and the entire show is to protect one's disposition as a serious participant in the conversation.

So for people who wonder as to why they should smile more, have heart in the discussions, have fun, accommodate mistakes with positivity, be authentic... the simple explanation is because this will yield them sound health.

Happiness provides a chance to be lucky in that

...it improves the chances of being able to fight diseases of all kinds,

...it builds relations that are the most durable resources in all times,

...it opens up creative faculties and the chance to come up with ideas,

...it ensures authentic living and then there are no chances of getting caught.

Dr Lalit Anande spends a lot of time with the inmates and is constantly thankful for the opportunity.

Thankfulness has been delivering instant happiness for Dr Anande and he keeps feeling lucky and blessed. Beginning of a story.